Hospitals across England and North Wales need more than 6,000 blood donations every day to treat patients. While many people think that blood is used mainly for accidents and emergencies, donated blood is vital for a wide variety of life-saving procedures. A blood transfusion can help to save the life of a new mother or it could be used to treat blood disorders, such as sickle cell anaemia and Thalassaemia.

In general, as long as you are fit and healthy, weigh over 7 stone 12 lbs (50kg) and are aged between 17 and 66 (up to 70 if you have given blood before) you should be able to give blood. If you are over 70, you need to have given blood in the last two years to continue donating.